Quiz/guess

[clocker]

When last we left my hapless computer, the best configuration for CPU cooling was this...
http://server4.uploadit.org/files/301103-fan%20rev2.JPG
Yesterday, whilst browsing the hardware store, these funny little plumbing brackets caught my eye and I thought "Hmmm, if two intake fans are good, maybe FOUR would be even better!"
I can't help it, I'm American...
http://server4.uploadit.org/files/041203-mini-coolmod.jpg.JPG
You'll have to overlook the messy wiring, this is just a test after all.

So now the HSF is literally surrounded by fans, all pushing air directly into/onto it.

Now for the quiz.

Do you think that the two extra fans:

1) helped to lower the CPU temp

2) made no difference

3) made it worse?

[uNz[i]]

Just a guess... but I'd say...

2) made no difference

[clocker]

Thanks for responding.

I WILL tell you, but I want to wait for some more answers first.

[uNz[i]]

No probs clocker, I can wait.

Ah! Sweet anticipation! :D

[clocker]

Excellent!

I shall be off-line for a few hours as my next modification requires yet another complete stripdown of my PC.

Upon my return I hope to see many more guesses.

Don't be shy here people, after all, everyone has been complaining about how slow things have been...

[Spicker]

i think it will lower the temp a lil bit...

[Virtualbody1234]

My guess is: 3) made it worse?

[lynx]

I WOULD SAY 2) MADE NO DIFFERENCE

SORRY FOR SHOUTING, BUT WITH ALL THOSE FANS... :P

[3rd gen noob]

3 :)

[bluedevil]

3 made it worse?

[AndrewBarker]

3) made it worse - otherwise you wouldn't have asked

[atiVidia]

2 intakes and 2 outtakes?

ur using already hot air to cool the PC?

3) made it worse

[tesco]

id agree with just about everyone aying that it made no difference OR possibly made it worse....

[clocker]

Originally posted by atiVidia@4 December 2003 - 12:10
2 intakes and 2 outtakes?

ur using already hot air to cool the PC?

3) made it worse
Try to keep up here.

All four fans are blowing IN.
No hot air.

The correct answer is ....

MADE NO DIFFERENCE.
Not even a teeny tiny bit.

Fortunately those four little brackets were only six cents apiece, so no big deal.

[3RA1N1AC]

the general wisdom says that exhaust fans are necessary in a "warm" pc (as opposed to one like a laptop that can get by with just heatsinks and no fans), but the effect of intake fans can be pretty unpredictable-- might improve temperatures, might make temperatures worse, might have zero effect. you just have to experiment with it and see what happens.

[clocker]

That assumes that one accepts "general wisdom", 3RA1N1AC.

I don't.
In my particular case, with my particular set of components, generally accepted fan layout has proven to be quite deficient.

[AndrewBarker]

Originally posted by 3RA1N1AC@5 December 2003 - 00:01
the general wisdom says that exhaust fans are necessary in a "warm" pc (as opposed to one like a laptop that can get by with just heatsinks and no fans), but the effect of intake fans can be pretty unpredictable-- might improve temperatures, might make temperatures worse, might have zero effect. you just have to experiment with it and see what happens.
Well this is just what he is doing - and sharing it with the rest of us.

Good on yer, Clocker :)

[3RA1N1AC]

Originally posted by clocker@4 December 2003 - 16:16
That assumes that one accepts "general wisdom", 3RA1N1AC.

I don't.
In my particular case, with my particular set of components, generally accepted fan layout has proven to be quite deficient.
but you DO have at least one exhaust fan somewhere in the case, right? even the fan in the power supply unit acts as an exhaust, so unless you've disabled it then you've accepted the general wisdom in that respect.

my point was that there is no rule of thumb in regard to intake fans in computer cases. a few people will claim that intake fans are necessary, but y-m-m-v.

[bigdawgfoxx]

What if you had the 2 new fans blowing in, and the other 2 sucking in...that seems like it would be a good plan but i'm not very familiar with cooling. Even disabling the HS fan and just using those 4...I really dont know just some different scenarios. I find it weird that it didnt help it at all..and if you dont have any exhaust fans..your just blowing the same air around almost...

[Duffman]

well i haven't done much reading in this post but what if you set 2 blowing on the processor (its the processor were cooling right) and 2 pulling the warm air the other 2 are blowing out... sounds like in theory it'll help but you know "looks good on paper"


on another not ive been wondering latley what are the specs on this computer?

[clocker]

People, people, people.

Has anyone even read the five or six topics that I've posted regarding this very subject?

I have ONE exhaust fan...it is mounted on my PSU and it blows straight UP and out of a port I cut into the case roof.
I have five intake fans...all drawing air from outside the case and blowing directly onto the object I wish to cool (CPU HS, HDD, mobo,PSU).
Finally, there are three fans that simply move air from one spot to another...the HS fan, a fan on my graphics card heatpipe and the newest fan which sucks air from underneath the PSU and (hopefully) out the roof blowholes.

I have a full tower case (20"x20"x8") and I promise you, NO 80mm fan running at 5v (or even 7v) creates a real airflow across that kind of distance. Try it yourself...take a fan, hook it up and hold it in front of your face. Then move it away until you can't feel a significant breeze.

I'll wait.

How far? I have three different types of 80mm fans and the most powerful ( a 9 bladed Zalman) is only good for maybe 12".

You put two intake fans in the front of a case this size and two exhaust fans on the back and you know what you get?
Squat.

Just for your own edification try hanging some string with bits of paper taped to the ends from different points of your roof. Put the sidepanel on ( you pretty much gotta have a windowed panel for this) and turn on the PC.

Then come back and talk to me about airflow...

[Duffman]

...ok

[bigdawgfoxx]

How do you know that the airflow is good? Do you like spray powder in there and see where it goes or something?

[clocker]

Hanging string.

Now that I think of it, ribbon might work even better.

[bigdawgfoxx]

How does hanging string tell you if like 6 different fans are moving air good??????????????????????????????????????????????

[3rd gen noob]

Originally posted by bigdawgfoxx@5 December 2003 - 03:13
How does hanging string tell you if like 6 different fans are moving air good??????????????????????????????????????????????
one question mark is enough :)

[bigdawgfoxx]

yeah...but doesnt 46 look better :D :rolleyes: haha

[Duffman]

clock i just wanna know what are the specs on your actual comp, not the case

[clocker]

I don't understand the question, dawg.

What 6 fans are you talking about?